HPD officer’s accident case dismissed

Answer: Capllonch received a citation for leaving the scene of an accident, but it was dismissed for lack of evidence during a Honolulu District Court hearing Dec. 28.

Capllonch -- one of the Police Department's most visible officers as head of CrimeStoppers -- had struck a motorist's car with her sport utility vehicle as she was leaving for lunch from the Honolulu Police Department headquarters at 801 S. Beretania St. on Sept. 23.

Capllonch and her three passengers believed there was no impact and continued on their way, according to Detective Alex Garcia, Oahu Chapter chairman for the State of Hawaii Organization of Police Officers.

The motorist whose car was struck called police, however, and traffic investigators looked into the accident. They concluded that Capllonch did not flee the scene of the collision.

However, Garcia said, she was given a written reprimand and ordered to attend Emergency Vehicle Operation Course classes, akin to driver's training classes, at the police academy.

Garcia said it was not until media began to raise questions that the police administration reopened the case to look into it, and as a result, Capllonch's police powers were suspended on Oct. 6.

Capllonch has since had her police powers restored.

HPD officials also opened an administrative investigation into the case, as is standard procedure for any officer under criminal investigation. A police spokesman said the outcome of the administrative investigation is pending.

This update was written by Star-Bulletin reporter Rod Antone.

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